Browsing Pathways

The biosynthesis of threonine starts with L-aspartic acid being phosphorylated by an ATP driven Aspartate kinase resulting in an a release of an ADP and an L-aspartyl-4-phosphate. This compound interacts with a hydrogen ion through an NADPH driven aspartate semialdehyde dehydrogenase resulting in the release of a phosphate, an NADP and a L-aspartate-semialdehyde.The latter compound interacts with a hydrogen ion through a NADPH driven aspartate kinase / homoserine dehydrogenase resulting in the release of an NADP and a L-homoserine. L-homoserine is phosphorylated through an ATP driven homoserine kinase resulting in the release of an ADP, a hydrogen ion and a O-phosphohomoserine. The latter compound then interacts with a water molecule threonine synthase resulting in the release of a phosphate and an L-threonine.

Cardiolipin (CL) is an important component of the inner mitochondrial membrane where it constitutes about 20% of the total lipid composition. It is essential for the optimal function of numerous enzymes that are involved in mitochondrial energy metabolism (Wikipedia). Cardiolipin biosynthesis occurs mainly in the mitochondria, but there also exists an alternative synthesis route for CDP-diacylglycerol that takes place in the endoplasmic reticulum. This second route may supplement this pathway. All membrane-localized enzymes are coloured dark green in the image. First, dihydroxyacetone phosphate (or glycerone phosphate) from glycolysis is used by the cytosolic enzyme glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase [NAD(+)] to synthesize sn-glycerol 3-phosphate. Second, the mitochondrial outer membrane enzyme glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase esterifies an acyl-group to the sn-1 position of sn-glycerol 3-phosphate to form 1-acyl-sn-glycerol 3-phosphate (lysophosphatidic acid or LPA). Third, the enzyme 1-acyl-sn-glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase converts LPA into phosphatidic acid (PA or 1,2-diacyl-sn-glycerol 3-phosphate) by esterifying an acyl-group to the sn-2 position of the glycerol backbone. PA is then transferred to the inner mitochondrial membrane to continue cardiolipin synthesis. Fourth, magnesium-dependent phosphatidate cytidylyltransferase catalyzes the conversion of PA into CDP-diacylglycerol. Fifth, CDP-diacylglycerol--glycerol-3-phosphate 3-phosphatidyltransferase synthesizes phosphatidylglycerophosphate (PGP). Sixth, phosphatidylglycerophosphatase and protein-tyrosine phosphatase dephosphorylates PGP to form phosphatidylglycerol (PG). Last, cardiolipin synthase catalyzes the synthesis of cardiolipin by transferring a phosphatidyl group from a second CDP-diacylglycerol to PG. It requires a divalent metal cation cofactor.

Cardiolipin (CL) is an important component of the inner mitochondrial membrane where it constitutes about 20% of the total lipid composition. It is essential for the optimal function of numerous enzymes that are involved in mitochondrial energy metabolism (Wikipedia). Cardiolipin biosynthesis occurs mainly in the mitochondria, but there also exists an alternative synthesis route for CDP-diacylglycerol that takes place in the endoplasmic reticulum. This second route may supplement this pathway. All membrane-localized enzymes are coloured dark green in the image. First, dihydroxyacetone phosphate (or glycerone phosphate) from glycolysis is used by the cytosolic enzyme glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase [NAD(+)] to synthesize sn-glycerol 3-phosphate. Second, the mitochondrial outer membrane enzyme glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase esterifies an acyl-group to the sn-1 position of sn-glycerol 3-phosphate to form 1-acyl-sn-glycerol 3-phosphate (lysophosphatidic acid or LPA). Third, the enzyme 1-acyl-sn-glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase converts LPA into phosphatidic acid (PA or 1,2-diacyl-sn-glycerol 3-phosphate) by esterifying an acyl-group to the sn-2 position of the glycerol backbone. PA is then transferred to the inner mitochondrial membrane to continue cardiolipin synthesis. Fourth, magnesium-dependent phosphatidate cytidylyltransferase catalyzes the conversion of PA into CDP-diacylglycerol. Fifth, CDP-diacylglycerol--glycerol-3-phosphate 3-phosphatidyltransferase synthesizes phosphatidylglycerophosphate (PGP). Sixth, phosphatidylglycerophosphatase and protein-tyrosine phosphatase dephosphorylates PGP to form phosphatidylglycerol (PG). Last, cardiolipin synthase catalyzes the synthesis of cardiolipin by transferring a phosphatidyl group from a second CDP-diacylglycerol to PG. It requires a divalent metal cation cofactor.

Cardiolipin (CL) is an important component of the inner mitochondrial membrane where it constitutes about 20% of the total lipid composition. It is essential for the optimal function of numerous enzymes that are involved in mitochondrial energy metabolism (Wikipedia). Cardiolipin biosynthesis occurs mainly in the mitochondria, but there also exists an alternative synthesis route for CDP-diacylglycerol that takes place in the endoplasmic reticulum. This second route may supplement this pathway. All membrane-localized enzymes are coloured dark green in the image. First, dihydroxyacetone phosphate (or glycerone phosphate) from glycolysis is used by the cytosolic enzyme glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase [NAD(+)] to synthesize sn-glycerol 3-phosphate. Second, the mitochondrial outer membrane enzyme glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase esterifies an acyl-group to the sn-1 position of sn-glycerol 3-phosphate to form 1-acyl-sn-glycerol 3-phosphate (lysophosphatidic acid or LPA). Third, the enzyme 1-acyl-sn-glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase converts LPA into phosphatidic acid (PA or 1,2-diacyl-sn-glycerol 3-phosphate) by esterifying an acyl-group to the sn-2 position of the glycerol backbone. PA is then transferred to the inner mitochondrial membrane to continue cardiolipin synthesis. Fourth, magnesium-dependent phosphatidate cytidylyltransferase catalyzes the conversion of PA into CDP-diacylglycerol. Fifth, CDP-diacylglycerol--glycerol-3-phosphate 3-phosphatidyltransferase synthesizes phosphatidylglycerophosphate (PGP). Sixth, phosphatidylglycerophosphatase and protein-tyrosine phosphatase dephosphorylates PGP to form phosphatidylglycerol (PG). Last, cardiolipin synthase catalyzes the synthesis of cardiolipin by transferring a phosphatidyl group from a second CDP-diacylglycerol to PG. It requires a divalent metal cation cofactor.

The L-arabinose operon, also called the ara or araBAD operon, is an operon required for the breakdown of the five-carbon sugar, L-arabinose, in Escherichia coli. The L-arabinose operon contains three structural genes: araB, araA, araD (collectively known as araBAD), which encode for three metabolic enzymes that are required for the metabolism of L-arabinose. AraB (ribulokinase), AraA (an isomerase), AraD (an epimerase) produced by these genes catalyse conversion of L-arabinose to an intermediate of the pentose phosphate pathway, D-xylulose-5-phosphate. The structural genes of the L-arabinose operon are transcribed from a common promoter into a single transcript, a mRNA. The expression of the L-arabinose operon is controlled as a single unit by the product of regulatory gene araC and the catabolite activator protein (CAP)-cAMP complex. The regulator protein AraC is sensitive to the level of arabinose and plays a dual role as both an activator in the presence of arabinose and a repressor in the absence of arabinose to regulate the expression of araBAD. AraC protein not only controls the expression of araBAD but also auto-regulates its own expression at high AraC levels. ----------------------------------- Negative regulation of araBAD Negative regulation of L-arabinose operon via AraC protein: When arabinose is absent, cells do not need the araBAD products for breaking down arabinose. Therefore, dimeric AraC acts as a repressor: one monomer binds to the operator of the araBAD gene (araO2), another monomer binds to a distant DNA half site known as araI1. This leads to the formation of a DNA loop. This orientation blocks RNA polymerase from binding to the araBAD promoter. Therefore, transcription of structural gene araBAD is inhibited. ----------------------------------- Positive regulation of araBAD Positive regulation of L-arabinose operon via dimeric AraC and CAP/cAMP: Expression of the araBAD operon is activated in the absence of glucose and in the presence of arabinose. When arabinose is present, both AraC and CAP work together and function as activators. ----------------------------------- Autoregulation of AraC: The expression of araC is negatively regulated by its own protein product, AraC. The excess AraC binds to the operator of the araC gene, araO1, at high AraC levels, which physically blocks the RNA polymerase from accessing the araC promoter. Therefore, the AraC protein inhibits its own expression at high concentrations.

The L-arabinose operon, also called the ara or araBAD operon, is an operon required for the breakdown of the five-carbon sugar, L-arabinose, in Escherichia coli. The L-arabinose operon contains three structural genes: araB, araA, araD (collectively known as araBAD), which encode for three metabolic enzymes that are required for the metabolism of L-arabinose. AraB (ribulokinase), AraA (an isomerase), AraD (an epimerase) produced by these genes catalyse conversion of L-arabinose to an intermediate of the pentose phosphate pathway, D-xylulose-5-phosphate. The structural genes of the L-arabinose operon are transcribed from a common promoter into a single transcript, a mRNA. The expression of the L-arabinose operon is controlled as a single unit by the product of regulatory gene araC and the catabolite activator protein (CAP)-cAMP complex. The regulator protein AraC is sensitive to the level of arabinose and plays a dual role as both an activator in the presence of arabinose and a repressor in the absence of arabinose to regulate the expression of araBAD. AraC protein not only controls the expression of araBAD but also auto-regulates its own expression at high AraC levels. ----------------------------------- Negative regulation of araBAD Negative regulation of L-arabinose operon via AraC protein: When arabinose is absent, cells do not need the araBAD products for breaking down arabinose. Therefore, dimeric AraC acts as a repressor: one monomer binds to the operator of the araBAD gene (araO2), another monomer binds to a distant DNA half site known as araI1. This leads to the formation of a DNA loop. This orientation blocks RNA polymerase from binding to the araBAD promoter. Therefore, transcription of structural gene araBAD is inhibited. ----------------------------------- Positive regulation of araBAD Positive regulation of L-arabinose operon via dimeric AraC and CAP/cAMP: Expression of the araBAD operon is activated in the absence of glucose and in the presence of arabinose. When arabinose is present, both AraC and CAP work together and function as activators. ----------------------------------- Autoregulation of AraC: The expression of araC is negatively regulated by its own protein product, AraC. The excess AraC binds to the operator of the araC gene, araO1, at high AraC levels, which physically blocks the RNA polymerase from accessing the araC promoter. Therefore, the AraC protein inhibits its own expression at high concentrations.

PreQ0 or 7-cyano-7-carbaguanine is biosynthesized by degrading GTP. GTP first interacts with water through a GTP cyclohydrolase resulting in the release of a formate, a hydrogen ion and a 7,8-dihydroneopterin 3'-triphosphate. The latter compound then interacts with water through a 6-carboxy-5,6,7,8-tetrahydropterin synthase resulting in a acetaldehyde, triphosphate, 2 hydrogen ion and 6-carboxy-5,6,7,8-tetrahydropterin. The latter compound then reacts spontaneously with a hydrogen ion resulting in the release of a ammonium molecule and a 7-carboxy-7-deazaguanine. This compound then interacts with ATP and ammonium through 7-cyano-7-deazaguanine synthase resulting in the release of water, phosphate, ADP, hydrogen ion and a 7-cyano-7-carbaguanine. The degradation of 7-cyano-7-deazaguanine can lead to produce a preQ1 or a queuine by reacting with 3 hydrogen ions and 2 NADPH through a 7-cyano-7-deazaguanine reductase. PreQ1 then interacts with a guanine 34 in tRNA through a tRNA-guanine transglycosylase resulting in a release of a guanine and a 7-aminomethyl-7-deazaguanosine 34 in tRNA. This nucleic acid then interacts with SAM through a S-adenosylmethionine tRNA ribosyltransferase-isomerase resulting in a release of a hydrogen ion, L-methionine, adenine and an epoxyqueuosine

Menaquinol biosynthesis starts with chorismate being metabolized into isochorismate through a isochorismate synthase. Isochorismate then interacts with 2-oxoglutare and a hydrogen ion through a 2-succinyl-5-enolpyruvyl-6-hydroxy-3-cyclohexene-1-carboxylate synthase resulting in the release of a carbon dioxide and a 2-succinyl-5-enolpyruvyl-6-hydroxy-3-cyclohexene-1-carboxylate. The latter compound then interacts with (1R,6R)-2-succinyl-6-hydroxy-2,4-cyclohexadiene-1-carboxylate synthase resulting in the release of a pyruvate and a (1R,6R)-6-hydroxy-2-succinylcyclohexa-2,4-diene-1-carboxylate. This compound is the dehydrated through a o-succinylbenzoate synthase resulting in the release of a water molecule and a 2-succinylbenzoate. This compound then interacts with a coenzyme A and an ATP through a o-succinylbenzoate CoA ligase resulting in the release of a diphosphate, a AMP and a succinylbenzoyl-CoA. The latter compound interacts with a hydrogen ion through a 1,4-dihydroxy-2-naphthoyl-CoA synthase resulting in the release of a water molecule or a 1,4-dihydroxy-2-naphthoyl-CoA. This compound then interacts with water through a 1,4-dihydroxy-2-naphthoyl-CoA thioesterase resulting in the release of a coenzyme A, a hydrogen ion and a 1,4-dihydroxy-2-naphthoate. The 1,4-dihydroxy-2-naphthoate can interact with either farnesylfarnesylgeranyl-PP or octaprenyl diphosphate and a hydrogen ion through a 1,4-dihydroxy-2-naphthoate octaprenyltransferase resulting in a release of a carbon dioxide, a pyrophosphate and a demethylmenaquinol-8. This compound then interacts with SAM through a bifunctional 2-octaprenyl-6-methoxy-1,4-benzoquinone methylase and S-adenosylmethionine:2-DMK methyltransferase resulting in a hydrogen ion, a s-adenosyl-L-homocysteine and a menaquinol.

The selenium metabolism begins with the introduction of selenate and selenite to the cytosol through a sulphate permease system. Once in the cell, selenate can be reduced to selenite through nitrate reductases A and Z. Selenite then interacts with glutathione and 2 hydrogen ions resulting in the release of 2 water molecules, a hydroxide molecule, a glutathione disulfide and a selenodiglutathione. The latter compound then reacts with NADPH+H resulting in the release of a NADP, a glutathione and a glutathioselenol. Glutathiolselenol can then be oxidize resulting in a a glutathiolselenol ion which can then interact with a water molecule resulting in a release of glutathion and selenium Glutathiolselenol can also react with NADPH and hydrogen ion resulting in a release of glutathione, NADP, a hydroxide molecule and a hydrogen selenide. This compound can react in a reversible reaction by being oxidized resulting in a hydrogen selenide ion . This compound can then be phosphorylated by interacting with an ATP and releasing a AMP, a phosphate and a selenophosphate.

Cardiolipin (CL) is an important component of the inner mitochondrial membrane where it constitutes about 20% of the total lipid composition. It is essential for the optimal function of numerous enzymes that are involved in mitochondrial energy metabolism (Wikipedia). Cardiolipin biosynthesis occurs mainly in the mitochondria, but there also exists an alternative synthesis route for CDP-diacylglycerol that takes place in the endoplasmic reticulum. This second route may supplement this pathway. All membrane-localized enzymes are coloured dark green in the image. First, dihydroxyacetone phosphate (or glycerone phosphate) from glycolysis is used by the cytosolic enzyme glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase [NAD(+)] to synthesize sn-glycerol 3-phosphate. Second, the mitochondrial outer membrane enzyme glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase esterifies an acyl-group to the sn-1 position of sn-glycerol 3-phosphate to form 1-acyl-sn-glycerol 3-phosphate (lysophosphatidic acid or LPA). Third, the enzyme 1-acyl-sn-glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase converts LPA into phosphatidic acid (PA or 1,2-diacyl-sn-glycerol 3-phosphate) by esterifying an acyl-group to the sn-2 position of the glycerol backbone. PA is then transferred to the inner mitochondrial membrane to continue cardiolipin synthesis. Fourth, magnesium-dependent phosphatidate cytidylyltransferase catalyzes the conversion of PA into CDP-diacylglycerol. Fifth, CDP-diacylglycerol--glycerol-3-phosphate 3-phosphatidyltransferase synthesizes phosphatidylglycerophosphate (PGP). Sixth, phosphatidylglycerophosphatase and protein-tyrosine phosphatase dephosphorylates PGP to form phosphatidylglycerol (PG). Last, cardiolipin synthase catalyzes the synthesis of cardiolipin by transferring a phosphatidyl group from a second CDP-diacylglycerol to PG. It requires a divalent metal cation cofactor.